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Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The bureau of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the Court with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized in the Federal Court.

Currently, the selection consists of only those petitioners who have requested to:

  • participate in the Naturalization Ceremony and swear the oath of allegiance in a formal court proceeding;
  • change their names legally and have their new names appear on the Certificate of Naturalization.

USCIS should be contacted directly for procedures on becoming naturalized.  Visit their website for answers to common questions, copies of forms, and general information about USCIC.  Naturalization ceremonies are generally held in the US Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI.  Special ceremonies may also be held at other locations.


 

This is a video taken at a naturalization ceremony held at the Milwaukee Art Museum on September 17, 2018.


 

Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien features Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph in a Fourth of July citizenship story.


 

'A Hope for Tomorrow' is the story of Edumakono Zetho, a former refugee from the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. He's now a U.S. citizen living in Milwaukee and working to give back to the orphaned children and abused women now living in his former refugee camp back in Tanzania.

*Graphic images from the Congo are contained in this documentary. Viewer discretion advised.

Source: Milwaukee PBS, Original Air Date: November 21, 2019